My small pond

brokenknee · Aug 5, 2014

When we moved to our current house a little over four years ago, the wife wanted to buy lake property again; myself, I have had enough of it as we owned lake property for over ten years and lived on the lake for about the last three. To many regulations and close neighbors. We ended up purchasing 40 acres and I told her we would dig a pond. We had a small existing pong on the property that was used at one time for irrigation of a large garden. I tried to enlarge it last year with my tractor but soon found the digging just to tough and slow for my tractor.

We talked to a local contractor and he agreed to dig it for $1,000 and throw in a load of washed sand. I am responsible for moving the "spoils" of the dig.

Here are a few pictures of the dig, very small compared to other ponds here on the forum, but it is just enough to keep the wife happy, I hope.

And yes all necessary permits were pulled.

vulcancowboy · Aug 5, 2014

Looks good, I have been toying with the idea of building a small pond. I hesitate to ask, but did you get any permits? My biggest fear is that one gov't agency or another would expect me to get a permit. I guess I'm old fashioned in thinking it is MY land.

brokenknee · Aug 5, 2014

Only permit that was required was one from the county. Contractor said the local county has the authority to sign off on building small ponds, filling them in is a different story. The contractor pulled the permit as they are there a couple time a week pulling permits for septic's.

My neighbor wanted to build a pond a couple of years ago but the previous owner had the part of his land he wanted to build it on designated as wetland to save on taxes, so they would not let him modify the land in any way.

I do agree with it is the "my land" concept as long as you don't decide to make it a dump site for toxic waste.

boggen · Aug 5, 2014

a couple forums much like TBN, that deals directly with ponds.
Pond Boss Magazine: Welcome = mud/clay ponds
www.koiphen.com = more linear ponds

have found both of them useful over the years. from stocking rates of fish, to docks, to rafts, to overflows, to other.

lockhaven · Aug 5, 2014

vulcancowboy said:
Looks good, I have been toying with the idea of building a small pond. I hesitate to ask, but did you get any permits? My biggest fear is that one gov't agency or another would expect me to get a permit. I guess I'm old fashioned in thinking it is MY land.

Pennsylvania is very restrictive if you have what would be called wetlands. The state even made the gas company change the location of a well pad because the pipe line would have passed through a hemlock bog area. I have hunted the area and was unaware it would be considered a wetland . I do not know if this restriction is state or federal but does not matter since you are in PA

roadhunter · Aug 5, 2014

Sounds like a bargain to me. $1,000 would not even cover the mob and 1 day of work for most contractors.

brokenknee · Aug 5, 2014

boggen said:
a couple forums much like TBN, that deals directly with ponds.
Pond Boss Magazine: Welcome = mud/clay ponds
www.koiphen.com = more linear ponds

have found both of them useful over the years. from stocking rates of fish, to docks, to rafts, to overflows, to other.

Thanks, I have been a lurker at Pond Boss for about a year or so, not yet a member may have to change that now. I was not aware of the other site, I will have to check it out.

brokenknee · Aug 5, 2014

roadhunter said:
Sounds like a bargain to me. $1,000 would not even cover the mob and 1 day of work for most contractors.

I thought the price was reasonable. The price was for digging the pond (about five hours) and one load of washed sand 12 yards at $30.00 a yard, which I think is on the high side. I am responsible for moving the spoils, I took the rest of the week off work to move the dirt. I use my tractor to load it in my dump trailer then bring it to the back part of my property dump two, three loads, drive the tractor back to the dump site, spread the spoils and then repeat. At my current rate I should have it spread by the end of the week.

The wife informed me that we will be having a waterfall to flow into the pond. So that is some fill I won't have to move.

vulcancowboy · Aug 5, 2014

lockhaven said:
Pennsylvania is very restrictive if you have what would be called wetlands. The state even made the gas company change the location of a well pad because the pipe line would have passed through a hemlock bog area. I have hunted the area and was unaware it would be considered a wetland . I do not know if this restriction is state or federal but does not matter since you are in PA

They use satellites to look for violators. Big brother is definitely watching :thumbdown: